AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Meals were served up for Georgia veterans who battled on the front lines for our country.

Harlem’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post paid a visit to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home on Friday in honor of National Day of Service.

The special catering comes just days away from Memorial Day.

For those who served, this day is a reminder of what the holiday is about.

“Some of them said ‘forget it’…’no…it’s in my head…,’” said Roy Brown, Vietnam army veteran.

To some, it’s a day off from work and a backyard meal, to those who have risked their lives, it’s a reminder of times they will never forget.

“That’s not really appropriate, it’s not ‘happy Memorial Day,’ it’s a day of solemn service. It’s a reflection on our dead veterans,” said Erik Averill, army veteran.

That’s what it’s like for Brown. “I even lost a couple of friends over there, a brother-in-law and one other friend,’ said Brown.

A time for kicking back and relaxing is not what Brown sees the day as.

“Serious… it wasn’t a happy one, let’s put it that way,” said Brown.

Others remember family.

“My grandfather was in World War II. He was also in Korea, unfortunately, he didn’t get to see me serve, so sorry I get to be a big softy,” said Averill.

While it may be a day off for most, remember and give thanks to those who didn’t come back, and think of veterans like this one, who is still trying to protect us to this day.

“Be safe and not to drink when they are on the roads, and try to tell them to think about their families and stuff that they have, and try to stay safe,” said Lofton Reeves, Vietnam army vet.

To all the veterans out there and those who are no longer with us – thank you for your service.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It could be at least three more months before the Augusta Canal trail fully reopens after Hurricane Helene left it debris-strewn on Sept. 27.

Not having the trail fully reopened is a bummer for some – especially heading into a holiday weekend and the summer.

Crews are not cleaning this Memorial Day weekend, so it’s fine to kayak and canoe in the water.

But there are some areas to stay away from, like the pumping station.

Leaning trees and cracks in the embankment are hazardous, too.

Augusta Utilities Director Wes Byne says the cleanup process is lengthy and costly — totaling $10 million, including $2 million out of the city’s budget.

Also this holiday weekend, the downtown Riverwalk is still closed due to debris cleanup.

Pendleton King Park is also still closed.

Outside Augusta but stlll popular with local residents is the newly reopened West Dam recreational area at Clarks Hill Lake.

The day-use area has been closed for months for Helene cleanup but reopened Friday.

The park is missing some amenities and structures, such as tables and grills, that were damaged by the storm, but is now safe for visitors.

The reopening makes 40 of 51 Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas at the lake that have at least partially reopened since Helene.

There is still debris remaining in most parks and potential hazards remain, so visitors must use caution and avoid closed areas.

To check the status of Army Corps facilities at teh lake, visit https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-and-Offices/Operations-Division/J-Strom-Thurmond-Dam-and-Lake.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The FBI confirms that it’s been at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building this week.

The agency said special agents have been at the building “conducting law enforcement activities.”

The FBI isn’t saying what that law enforcement operation might be.

We do know, however, that the city has caught the federal government’s attention in recent weeks after more than $6 million in grant money wasn’t repaid in a timely manner after it wasn’t spent, as required by law.

The money was meant to fund COVID-era programs to help people in need avoid eviction.

However, when it wasn’t used, the federal government said it wanted the money back from the Housing and Community Development Department.

It was months before the city’s top brass learned of the problem, and ultimately the money was paid back from its funds.

But not before Housing and Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher was suspended.

City officials also decided to conduct an audit of the department.

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